Apparatus, system and method for securing, attaching and/or detaching a device to a fixture

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, a system and a method secures, attaches and/or detaches a device to a fixture. A post with an interior secures a retractable reel. The retractable reel has a cable that attaches, connects and/or secures the device to the fixture. The cable extends from the retractable reel and/or extends through the post. A head unit attaches to the device and has a fastening mechanism for connecting and/or for disconnecting the cable to the device. The post has a recession for receiving a head unit and/or for aligning the head unit and/or the device. A fastener and/or an adhesive connects, secures and/or attaches the device to the head unit. A key disconnects the cable from the head unit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and amethod for securing, for attaching and/or for detaching a device to afixture. More specifically, the present invention relates to anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a portable electronic device, such as, for example, a camera,a camcorder, a digital camera, a digital music player, a video game, adigital video player, a digital video recorder, a personal dataassistant (hereinafter “a PDA”), a laptop or tablet computer, an E-book,an E-reader, a cellular telephone and/or the like. The apparatus, thesystem and the method for securing, for attaching and/or for detachingthe device may attach the device to the fixture to deter and/or preventtheft and/or destruction of the device. The device may be a portableelectronic device which may be, for example, displayed for sale by aretailer, a wholesaler and/or the like.

It is generally known, for example, that vendors, retailers and/orwholesalers may display a device to a customer at, for example, a retailstore and/or a sales facility for examination and/or inspection by thecustomer. The device may be a portable electronic device, such as, forexample, a camera, a digital camera, a compact disc player, an MP3player, a PDA, a laptop or tablet computer, an E-book, an E-reader, acellular telephone and/or the like. The device is traditionallydisplayed in conjunction with a fixture, such as, for example, a wall, afloor, a pillar, a support beam, a stair case or a fixture, such as, forexample, a cabinet, a table, a shelf and/or the like.

Generally, the device is fixed to a surface of the fixture, and/or acable attaches the device to the fixture. The cable is often notadjustable or has a limited length. In addition, the cable is often notdetachable. As a result, the customer and/or the user is unable toexamine the device while being independent of the cable and/or fixture.For example, pulling of the cable often prevents the customer and/or theuser from examining the various characteristics of the device, such as,for example, the weight, the feel, and the portability of the device.Further, the attachment of the cable prevents the customer and/or theuser from examining the size, weight and/or other dimensions of thedevice with respect to a laptop bag, a book bag, and/or a pant pocket,for example.

A need, therefore, exists for an apparatus, a system and a method forsecuring, for attaching and/or for detaching a device to a fixture.Additionally, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and a method forsecuring, for attaching and/or for detaching a device to a fixture whichmay allow a device to be detached from the fixture to allow a customerand/or a user to manipulate and/or examine the device. Moreover, a needexists for an apparatus, a system and a method for securing, forattaching and/or for detaching a device to a fixture which may allow adevice to be re-attached to a fixture after detachment from the fixture.Further, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and a method forsecuring, for attaching and/or for detaching a device to a fixture whichmay provide electrical security to the device while the device isdetached from a fixture. Even further, a need exists for an apparatus, asystem and a method for securing, for attaching and/or for detaching adevice to a fixture which may utilize a retractable reel for retractinga cable. Moreover, a need exists for an apparatus, a system and a methodfor securing, for attaching and/or for detaching a device to a fixturewhich may trigger an alarm for a separation of the device from the cableand/or the separation of the device from the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and amethod for securing, for attaching and/or for detaching a device to afixture. Examples of devices may include, for example, a camera, adigital camera, a compact disc player, an MP3 player, a PDA, a laptop ortablet computer, an E-book, an E-reader, a cellular telephone and/or thelike. Further, the apparatus, the system and the method for securing,for attaching and/or for detaching the device to a fixture may have abase, a cable and a connector for attaching to the device. Moreover, theapparatus, the system and the method for securing, for attaching and/orfor detaching the device to a fixture may allow the device to bedetached from the fixture.

To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus forsecuring a device is provided. The apparatus has a post, a connector, acable, a head unit, a spring and a slot. The cable has a length definedbetween a first end and a second end. The first end of the cable isattached to the connector. The head unit removably attaches to the postand has an interior compartment with an opening to receive theconnector. The interior compartment also has a spring to removably holdthe connector. Moreover, the head unit has a slot to provide access tothe spring from outside the head unit.

In an embodiment, the apparatus has a key sized for inserting into theslot wherein the key releases the spring from the connector.

In an embodiment, the apparatus has a reel connected to the second endof the cable wherein the reel is attached to the post.

In an embodiment, the apparatus has a groove in the connector whereinthe spring is secured in the groove.

In an embodiment, the apparatus has a tip on the connector wherein thetip has a taper.

In an embodiment, the apparatus has a plunger in the head unit whereinthe plunger extends through the head unit.

In an embodiment, the apparatus has an adhesive on the head unit.

In an embodiment, the apparatus has a wall extending from the slottoward the spring.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a system for securing adevice is provided. The system has a post a cable, a connector and ahead unit. The post has an interior and a recession. The cable extendsfrom the interior of the post and through a hole in the recession. Thecable is attached to a connector and extends through an opening in thehead unit. The head unit is movable from the post.

In an embodiment, the head unit is inserted into the recession.

In an embodiment, the system has a spring in the head unit.

In an embodiment, the system has a plunger extending from the head unit.

In an embodiment, the system has the head unit with an adhesive.

In an embodiment, the system has a key that detaches the head unit fromthe connector.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a method to attach andto detach a device to a fixture is provided. The method has the step ofproviding a post having a cable and a connector wherein the post mountson the fixture. Further, the method connects the head unit to the postwith the connector allowing the head unit to attach to a device.Moreover, the method detaches the connector from the head unit torelease the device from the post.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of inserting the head unitinto the post to connect the head unit to the connector.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of aligning the head unit withrespect to the post.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of aligning the connector withrespect to the head unit.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of providing a spring toremovably secure the connector to the connector.

In an embodiment, the method has the step of providing a key to detachthe connector from the head unit.

It is, therefore, an advantage of the present invention to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, asystem and a method for securing, for attaching and/or for detaching adevice to a fixture which may be utilized to prevent theft of and/ordestruction of the device.

And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture which may allow the device to be movedwith respect to the fixture which may allow the device to be manipulatedand/or to be examined by a user.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture which may allow a user to detach thedevice from a fixture to examine characteristics of the device and/or tomanipulate the device.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus,a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or for detaching adevice to a fixture which may allow a device to be re-attached to afixture after detachment from the fixture.

Moreover, an advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture which may allow a user to remove thedevice from a fixture to examine characteristics of the device and/or tomanipulate the device without detaching the device from the fixture.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, asystem and a method for securing, for attaching and/or for detaching adevice to a fixture which may provide a post for displaying, forconnecting and/or for attaching the device to a fixture.

And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture which may provide a head unit attachableto the device and/or a cable of a retractable reel for securing, forattaching and/or for connecting the device to a fixture.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture which may provide a fastening mechanismwithin a head unit to allow a device to be attached and/or detached fromthe fixture.

A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture which may provide a slot within a headunit for providing access to the fastening mechanism from outside thehead unit.

Another advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus, asystem and a method for securing, for attaching and/or for detaching adevice to a fixture which may provide a key to detach the device fromthe fixture.

And, another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture which may align the head unit withrespect to the post.

Yet another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture with an adhesive for connecting thedevice to the head unit.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus,a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or for detaching adevice to a fixture with reduced friction and/or increased longevity ofa cable.

A still further advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture which may provide electrical security tothe device.

Moreover, another advantage of the present invention is to provide anapparatus, a system and a method for securing, for attaching and/or fordetaching a device to a fixture which allows detachment of the devicefrom the fixture and electrical security to the device.

Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiments and from the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device mounted to a system in anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device attached to a system in anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device showing the head unitdetached from the cable and the post.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the device showing the head unitinserted into the post.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the device showing the head unitextending from the post.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the head unit taken generally alongline VI-VI of FIG. 2 in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the interior cavity of the head unitshowing the anchor attached to the spring.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the interior cavity of the head unitshowing the key releasing the spring from the anchor.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the interior cavity of the head unitshowing the anchor detached from the spring.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the anchor.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the interior cavity of the headunit taken generally along line XI-XI of FIG. 7 in an embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus, a system and amethod for securing, for attaching and/or for detaching a device to afixture. The apparatus, the system and the method may attach, mayconnect and/or may secure the device to a fixture via a base, a post, acrown, a head unit and/or a cable. The head unit may have an adhesivefor connecting, for attaching and/or for securing the device to the headunit. The post may have a retractable reel to attach, to connect and/orto secure the device to the cable, to the post, to the base and/or tothe fixture, respectively. The retractable reel may allow the cable tobe pulled, to be moved and/or to be extendable with respect to thefixture and/or the post. The cable may extend with respect to theretractable reel, the post and/or the exterior surface of the fixture.The cable may have an anchor for connecting, for attaching and/or forsecuring the head unit to the cable. Furthermore, the head unit may havea spring for attaching and/or detaching the head unit from the cable.The device may attach and/or detach from the fixture, the base and thepost such that a customer and/or a user may manipulate and/or examinethe device.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals refer to like parts,FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an apparatus 10 which may secure a device 12 toa fixture 14 in an embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 10may have a base 2, a post 4, a crown 6, a head unit 8, a cap 32, aretractable reel 36 and a key 70. The retractable reel 36 may have acable 34 which may be pulled, moved and/or extended with respect to theretractable reel 36. The device 12 may be a portable electronic device,such as, for example, a camera, a camcorder, a digital camera, a digitalmusic player, a video game, a digital video player, a digital videorecorder, a PDA, a laptop or tablet computer, an E-book, an E-reader, acellular telephone and/or the like. Further, the device 12 may have anunderside 13 for securing the device 12 to the head unit 8.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 2, the post 4, the crown 6,the head unit 8, the cap 32 and/or the retractable reel 36 may beconstructed from a material, such as, for example, a plastic, athermoplastic, a silicone, a rubber, a metal and/or the like and/or anycombination thereof. It should be understood that the base 2, the post4, the crown 6, the head unit 8, the cap 32 and/or the retractable reel36 may be constructed from any material as known to one having ordinaryskill in the art. The cable 34 may be made from a material, such as, forexample, steel and/or the like.

The base 2 may have a top end 16 and/or a bottom end 18. The bottom end18 may be located at a position opposite to the top end 16. The base 2may attach to and/or may mount to a fixture 14. The fixture 14 may be awall, a floor, a pillar, a support beam, a stair case or a fixture, suchas, for example, a cabinet, a table, a shelf and/or the like. Thepresent invention should not be deemed as limited to the embodiments ofa specific structural element and/or a specific fixture 14. The bottomend 18 of the base 2 may be fastened to the fixture 14 by screws,adhesive, cable and/or the like. It should be understood that the base 2may be fastened by any type of fastener and/or any number of fastenersas known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

The post 4 may attach to the base 2. The post 4 may have a top wall 26and/or a bottom wall 28 wherein the bottom wall 28 is located at aposition opposite to the top wall 26. The bottom wall 28 of the post 4may attach to the top end 16 of the base 2. The post 4 may fasten to thebase 2 by screws, retaining clips, adhesive and/or the like. It shouldbe understood that the post 4 may fasten to the base 2 by any type offastener and/or any number of fasteners as known to one of ordinaryskill in the art.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the retractable reel 36 may be located withina compartment 24 of the post 4. The retractable reel 36 may allow thecable 34 to extend and/or retract with respect to the base 2, the post4, the crown 6 and the fixture 14. The retractable reel 36 and the cable34 may allow the device 12 to be manipulated and/or to be examined awayfrom the fixture by a customer and/or a user.

The retractable reel 36 may attach to, fasten to, and/or connect to thepost 4. As a result, the cable 34 may attach to, fasten to, and/orconnect to the fixture 14. The retractable reel 36 may be a spring andpulley, a spring tether, an elastic cable and/or the like. The presentinvention should not be deemed as limited to the embodiments of aspecific structural element and/or a specific cable retractor 36.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5, the cable 34 may extend through thepost 4 and the crown 6 and may exit through the cap 32. The cable 34 mayhave a length defined by a first end 35 and a second end 37. The firstend 35 of the cable 34 may be located at a position opposite to thesecond end 37. The first end 35 may attach to the base 2, the post 4,the crown 6 and the fixture 14 through the retractable reel 36. Thesecond end 37 may attach to an anchor 38.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, the anchor 38 may be press-fit orbonded to the second end 37 to fasten the second end 37 to the cable 34.The anchor 38 may be made from a material, such as, for example, steeland/or the like. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the anchor 38 may have agroove 74 that may be located circumferentially around the anchor 38 andin a direction perpendicular to the cable 34. Also, the anchor 38 mayhave a tapered tip 74. The tapered tip 74 may extend in a direction awayfrom and/or parallel to the cable 34. The anchor 38 may be made from amaterial, such as, for example, steel and/or the like.

FIGS. 1-5 generally illustrate the crown 6 that may be attached to thepost 4. The crown 6 may have an upper end 76 and/or a lower end 78. Thelower end 78 may be positioned at a location opposite to the upper end76. The lower end 78 of the crown 6 may be fastened to the top wall 26of the post 4. The crown 6 may be fastened to the post 4 by screws,retaining clips, adhesive and/or the like. The crown 6 may be hollow toallow the cable 34 to travel through the crown 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the cap 32 may attach to the upper end 76 ofthe crown 6. The cap 32 may have an upper side 86 and/or a lower side88. The lower side 88 may be positioned at a location opposite to theupper wall 86. The lower side 88 of the cap 32 may be fastened to theupper end 76 of the crown 6. The cap 32 may fasten to the crown 6 by,for example, screws, retaining clips, adhesive and/or the like.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 7-9, the cap 32 may have a recession90 which may extend inward with respect to the upper side 86 of the cap32. The recession 90 may be sized to receive the head unit 8 fordisplaying the device 12. A slit 92 and/or a hole 94 may be formed inthe cap 32 and may extend through the cap 32. The hole 94 may becentered with respect to the cap 32 and the recession 90. The slit 92and/or the hole 94 may be sized to allow the cable 34 to travel throughthe slit 92 and/or the hole 94. The slit 92 and/or the hole 94 may besized to prevent friction between the cable 34 and/or the cap 32 and mayallow the cable 34 to travel that may increase the longevity of thecable 34. Further, the hole 94 may be sized to prevent the anchor 38from retracting through the cap 32 and into the retractable reel 36.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3-5, the head unit 8 may have a top cover 40and/or a bottom cover 42. The bottom cover 42 may be located at aposition opposite to the top cover 40. The top cover 40 may attach tothe device 12. The top cover 40 of the head unit 8 may have, forexample, an adhesive 96 that may attach the top cover 40 to the device12. The present invention should not be deemed as limited to a specificembodiment of the material of the adhesive 96. It should be understoodthat the adhesive 96 may be any adhesive as known to one having ordinaryskill in the art.

The head unit 8 may have a plunger 80. The plunger 80 may be connectedto a printed circuit board (not shown and hereinafter “PCB”) to detectthe attachment of the head unit 8 to the device 12. The plunger 80 mayextend through the top cover 40 and may contact the underside 13 of thedevice 12. The plunger 80 may be depressed by the device 12 when thehead unit 8 is attached to the device 12. The PCB may monitor theattachment of the head unit 8 to the device with the plunger 80. The PCBmay be housed within the head unit 8. In addition, the PCB may bewirelessly connected to and/or in communication with an alarm box (notshown) to provide electrical security to the device 12. As a result, anunauthorized separation of the device 12 from the head unit 8 may causethe PCB to activate the alarm box and trigger an audible alarm. Further,an unauthorized separation of the head unit 8 or the device 12 from thepower cable 12A may also trigger an audible alarm. The power cable 12Amay also be used to provide power to the device 12 and/or to charge thedevice 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the bottom cover 42 may have a top side 46and/or a bottom side 48. The bottom side 48 may be positioned at alocation opposite to the top side 46. The bottom side 48 of the bottomcover 42 may be sized and/or shaped to insert into the recession 90 ofthe cap 32. The shape of the recession 90 may substantially match theshape of the bottom side 48 of the bottom cover 42. The bottom side 48may have, for example, a circular shape, an oval shape and/or the like.It should be understood that the shape of the bottom side 48 of thebottom cover 42 may be any shape as known to one of ordinary skill inthe art.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6, 9 and 11, the bottom cover 42 may have aninterior cavity 44 defined by the bottom side 28, a first flat sidewall52, a second flat sidewall 54, a first round sidewall 56 and a secondround sidewall 58. The first flat sidewall 52 is positioned at alocation opposite to the second flat sidewall 54. The first roundsidewall 56 is positioned at a location opposite to the second roundsidewall 58. The bottom cover 42 may have an opening 50 which may extendthrough the bottom side 28 and into the interior cavity 44. The opening50 may be centered with respect to the head unit 8 and the bottom cover42. The opening 50 may also have a guide 84 surrounding a portion of theopening 50.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6-9 and 11, the interior cavity 44 may have headunit magnets 110 secured by retainers 108 to the bottom side 48 of thebottom cover 42. The crown 6 may have crown magnets 112 positioned atthe upper end 76. The head unit magnets 110 may engage the crown magnets112 to retain the head unit 8 within the recession 90.

The interior cavity 44 may also have bosses 106 attached to the bottomside 48 of the bottom cover 42. Fasteners (not shown) may engaged thebosses 106 to attach the PCB over the interior cavity 44 of the bottomcover 42. In addition, the guide 84, the bosses 106, the retainers 108and the head unit magnets 110 may have a similar height to allow the PCBto be positioned a distance above the bottom side 48 and also supportedby the guide 84, the bosses 106, the retainers 108 and the head unitmagnets 110.

The bottom cover 42 may have a spring 62 located within the interiorcavity 44. The spring 62 may have a first end 64 and/or a second end 66.The second end 66 is positioned at a location opposite to the first end64. The first end 64 of the spring 62 may attach to the bottom side 28and/or the second flat sidewall 54 of the bottom cover 42. The secondend 66 of the spring 62 may extend in a direction toward the opening 50and the first flat sidewall 52. The second end 66 may extend to a pointbeyond the opening 50 to allow a portion of the spring 62 to overlap aportion of the opening 50.

The spring 62 may attach the cable 34 to the head unit 8. Whenconnecting the cable 34 to the head unit 8, the anchor 38 may beinserted into the opening 50. The anchor 38 may be positioned within theopening 50 to allow the spring 62 to rest within the groove 72 of theanchor 38. The overlapping relationship of the spring 62 with theopening 50 may allow the spring 62 to attach to the anchor 38. Thetapered tip 74 of the anchor 38 may gradually deflect the spring 62 awayfrom the first flat sidewall 52 as the anchor 38 travels through theopening 50. The deflection of the spring 62 may increase until thegroove 72 is located at a position beside the spring 62. The decreaseddiameter of the groove 72 may cause a decrease in the deflection of thespring 62, and the spring may come to rest within the groove 72. Thespring 62 may remain within the groove 72 to allow the head unit 8 toattach to the cable 34. The guide 84 may also support the anchor 38 toensure the spring 62 remains engaged within the groove 72.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 6-9, the bottom cover 42 may have akeyhole 60 that may be sized to receive the key 70. The keyhole 60 mayextend through the first flat sidewall 52 and in a direction toward thespring 62. It should be understood to one having ordinary skill in theart that the position of the keyhole 60 is not limited to a positionlocated within the first flat sidewall 52. The keyhole 60 may be locatedwithin any wall of the interior cavity 44. Further, the keyhole 60 isnot limited to providing access to only the second end 66 of the spring62. The keyhole 60 may be positioned to provide access to any portion ofthe spring 62 by the key 70.

The keyhole 60 may have vertical guide walls 82 extending from thekeyhole 60 and toward the spring 62. The vertical guide walls 82 may beattached to the first flat sidewall 52, the bottom side 48 of the bottomcover 42 and/or the guide 84. The vertical guide walls 82 may provideaccess to the spring 62.

The key 70 may have a key ring 100, a handle 102 and a barrel pin 104.The key ring 100 may allow the key 70 to be carried by a retail storeemployee. The key ring 100 and the handle 102 may be made from amaterial, such as, for example, a plastic, a thermoplastic, a silicone,a rubber, a metal and/or the like and/or any combination thereof. Thebarrel pin 104 may be a male 3.5 millimeter Tip-Ring-Sleeve (“TRS”)connector as generally known to one having ordinary skill in the art.The barrel pin 104 may be a mono or stereo TRS connector. Further, thebarrel pin 104 may be made from a material, such as, for example, steel,silver, gold and/or the like. It should be understood that the size, theshape and/or the diameter of the key ring 100, the handle 102 and/or thebarrel pin 104 may be any size, shape and/or diameter as known to one ofordinary skill in the art.

The key 70 may be used to detach the cable 34 from the head unit 8. Thekey 70 may be inserted into the keyhole 60 and/or may be guided by thevertical guide walls 82 to ensure the key 70 may contact the second end66 of the spring 62. As a result, the key 70 may deflect the spring 62in a direction away from the opening 50. The key 70 may deflect thespring until the spring 62 is no longer located in a positionoverlapping the opening 50 and/or in contact with the anchor 38 and/orthe groove 72.

After the cable 34 has been detached from the head unit 8, the customerand/or the user may manipulate and/or examine the device 12 without thetension of the cable 34 and/or the retractable reel 36 that may pull thedevice 12 towards the fixture 14. Although the mechanical security hasbeen removed, electronic security may still be provided to the device 12by the PCB and/or the alarm box to prevent tampering and/or theft of thedevice 12.

The retractable reel 36 may retract cable 34 into the post 4 after thecable 34 has been detached from the head unit 8. The anchor 38 may cometo rest above the slit 92 and/or the hole 94 to center the anchor 38with respect to the recession 90, as shown in FIG. 9.

The customer and/or the user may re-attach the head unit and/or thedevice 12 when finished manipulating and/or examining the device 12. Thehead unit 8 and/or the device 12 may be re-attached to the cable 34 andanchor 38 by inserting the bottom side 48 of the head unit 8 into therecession 90 of the cap 32. The anchor 38 centered with respect to therecession 90 may be aligned with the opening 50 within the bottom side48 of the head unit 8. Therefore, the anchor 38 may enter the opening 50when inserting the bottom side 48 of the head unit 8 into the recession90. As a result, the spring 62 may engage the anchor 38 to reattach thehead unit 8 to the cable 34.

The customer and/or the user may also inspect, manipulate and/or examinethe device 12 with the cable 34 attached. The retractable reel 36 mayallow the cable 34 to be pulled, moved and/or extended with respect tothe fixture 14 to allow the device to move a distance from the fixture14. After the customer and/or the user has finished inspecting,manipulating and/or examining the device 12, the retractable reel 36 mayretract the cable 34 to pull the head unit 8 and/or the device 12towards the post 4. The retractable reel 36 may continue pulling thehead unit 8 and/or the device 12 until the bottom side 48 of the headunit 8 is inserted into the recession 90 of the cap 32. As a result, thedevice 12 may be inspected, manipulated and/or examined by the nextcustomer and/or user.

In an alternative embodiment, the key 70 may be used to silence anaudible siren. The key 70 and barrel tip 104 may be inserted into thealarm box to silence the audible siren. In addition, the key 70 may havean embedded microchip (not shown) in communication with the barrel tip104. When inserted into the alarm box, the barrel tip 104 may allow theexchange of information between the microchip and the alarm box. Themicrochip may store and communicate alarm information and configurationsettings.

In yet another embodiment, the post 4 may attach directly to the fixture14. The bottom wall 28 of the post 4 may fasten to the fixture 14 byscrews, adhesive, cable and/or the like. It should be understood thatthe post 4 may be fastened by any type of fastener and/or any number offasteners as known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

It should be understood that various changes and modifications to thepresently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its attendant advantages. It is, therefore, intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus for securing a device, the apparatuscomprising: a post having a top surface, a bottom surface and sideswherein the sides connect the top surface to the bottom surface todefine an interior and further wherein the top surface has a hole; aconnector; a cable having a length defined between a first end and asecond end wherein the first end is attached to the connector whereinthe second end is secured within the interior of the post and furtherwherein the cable extends through the interior and the hole of the topsurface; a head unit having a top cover and a bottom cover that definean interior cavity wherein the head unit has an aperture that extendsthrough the bottom cover and into the interior cavity wherein the headunit has a key hole that provides access to the interior cavity andfurther wherein the head unit is attached to the top surface of the postand the cable in a first position of the head unit wherein the connectorand the first end of the cable are adjacent to the hole of the topsurface in the first position of the head unit wherein the connectorinserts into the aperture in the first position of the head unit whereinthe head unit is separated from the post and connected to the cable in asecond position of the head unit wherein the first end of the cable andthe connector are remote from the post in the second position of thehead unit wherein the connector extends through the aperture in thesecond position of the head unit wherein the head unit is separated fromthe post and disconnected from the cable in a third position of the headunit wherein the first end of the cable and the connector are adjacentto the hole of the post in the third position wherein the connectorprotrudes from the hole in the third position; a spring connected to theinterior cavity wherein the spring is adjacent to the aperture in thesecond position of the head unit and applies a force to the connector toengage the connector and to secure the connector within the interiorcavity of the head unit in the first position of the head unit and inthe second position of the head unit; and a key that extends through thekey hole of the head unit and contacts the spring in the interior cavityof the head unit to move the spring in a direction away from theaperture and the connector, to disengage the spring from the connectorand to disconnect the cable from the head unit.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1 further comprising: a reel connected to the second end of thecable wherein the reel is attached to the post and further wherein thereel retracts the cable and the connector with respect to the post fromthe second position of the head unit to the third position of the headunit.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a groove in theconnector wherein the spring is secured in the groove.
 4. The apparatusof claim 1 further comprising: a tip on the connector wherein the tipextends in an outward direction with respect to the cable.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a plunger in the head unitwherein the plunger extends from the head unit in a first position ofthe plunger wherein the plunger extends into the interior cavity in asecond position of the plunger and further wherein the head unittriggers an alarm indicative of the plunger in the second position. 6.The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: an adhesive attached to thetop cover of the head unit.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising: a wall extending between the key hole and the spring whereinthe wall extends between the top cover and the bottom cover.
 8. A systemfor securing a device, the system comprising: a post having a topsurface, a bottom surface and sides wherein the sides connect the topsurface to the bottom surface to form an interior and further whereinthe top surface has a hole; a first cable having a length definedbetween a first end and a second end wherein the first end of the firstcable is secured within the interior of the post and further wherein thefirst cable extends through the interior of the post and the hole; aconnector attached to the second end of the first cable; a head unithaving an opening wherein the connector extends through the opening ofthe head unit to attach the head unit to the post and the first cable ina first position of the head unit wherein the head unit is adjacent tothe top surface of the post in the first position wherein the head unitis disconnected from the post and is secured to the connector and thefirst cable in a second position and further wherein the head unit isdisconnected from the post, the connector and the first cable in a thirdposition; a spring in the head unit wherein the spring is engaged withthe connector in the first position of the head unit wherein the springis engaged with the connector in the second position of the head unitand further wherein the spring is remote from the connector in the thirdposition of the head unit; and a second cable connected to the head unitwherein the second cable provides power and further wherein the headunit wirelessly triggers a first alarm indicative of disconnection ofthe second cable.
 9. The system of claim 8 further comprising: arecession that extends inward with respect to the top surface whereinthe recession is sized to receive the head unit.
 10. The system of claim8 further comprising: a plunger connected to the head unit wherein thehead unit triggers a second alarm when the plunger extends from the headunit.
 11. The system of claim 8 further comprising: a key that insertsinto the head unit wherein the key moves the spring away from theconnector to disconnect the connector and the first cable from the headunit and to disconnect the spring from the connector.
 12. The system ofclaim 8 further comprising: a first magnet in the head unit and a secondmagnet in the post wherein the first magnet and the second magnet retainthe head unit in the first position.
 13. An apparatus for securing adevice, the apparatus comprising: a post having a top surface, a bottomsurface and sides wherein the sides connect the top surface to thebottom surface to define an interior and further wherein the post has ahole that extends into the interior; a connector having a length definedbetween a top end and a bottom end wherein the top end is positionedopposite to the bottom end; a reel connected to the post; a cable havinga length defined between a first end and a second end wherein the firstend is attached to the bottom end of the connector wherein the secondend is secured within the reel and further wherein the cable extendsfrom the reel, through the interior of the post and through the hole ofthe post and further wherein the reel applies a force to retract thecable and the connector to the post; a head unit having a top cover anda bottom cover that define an interior cavity wherein the head unit hasa key hole that extends into the interior cavity and has an aperturethat extends into the interior cavity wherein the head unit is securedto the top surface of the post, to the connector and to the cable in afirst position of the head unit wherein the head unit is removed fromthe post and connected to the cable and the connector in a secondposition of the head unit wherein the first end of the cable and theconnector are remote from the post in the second position of the headunit wherein the head unit is remote from the post, the cable and theconnector in a third position of the head unit wherein the first end ofthe cable and the connector are adjacent to the hole of the post in thefirst and the third position of the head unit wherein the hole of thepost is sized to stop the reel from retracting the connector through thepost and further wherein the top end of the connector extends above thehole in the first position of the head unit and the third position ofthe head unit; a spring in the interior cavity wherein the springsecures the connector within the interior cavity of the head unit in thefirst position of the head unit and in the second position of the headunit; and a key that inserts into the key hole of the head unit andmoves the spring in the interior cavity of the head unit to disconnectthe connector and the cable from the head unit.